San Luis Obispo Tribune seeking sports designer/copy editor

The Tribune, an award-winning 40,000-circulation McClatchy newspaper in San Luis Obispo, Calif., is accepting applications for a sports page designer.

We're looking for someone who:

? Understands content, both visual and words, and is not afraid to take informed risks in pursuit of excellent design.

? Has a thorough grounding in the basics of contemporary newspaper page design.

? Respects type and understands how to use it well.

? Can select, crop, manipulate and stylize photos to create dynamic open-page layouts.
? Has a solid understanding of color.

? Can write headlines and cutlines and edit stories according to Tribune and Associated Press style.

? Aspires to be at the forefront of visual journalism.

? Has an enthusiastic attitude and strong interpersonal skills.

? Has a knowledge of and interest in sports (football, baseball, basketball, etc.)

We offer that person:

? A chance to gain broad experience in the company of an excellent staff.

? This is a place to grow, to further hone your skills and jump into the big leagues of visual journalism. We're dedicated to doing things the right way, and you'll benefit as a result.

? The opportunity to work with an elegant, sophisticated design. We were voted "One of the World's Best Designed Newspapers" in 2000 by the Society of News Design and have collected more than 25 SND awards since then.

? A chance to live and work in McClatchy's nicest destination. We're minutes from the Pacific Ocean, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. San Luis Obispo is known for its vibrant downtown, friendly people, and sunny, warm weather. If you like to spend time outdoors, this is the place to be.

The successful candidate will have at least two years of daily newspaper design experience, although college graduates with top-notch internship or college newspaper experience are encouraged to apply.

The Tribune paginates using QuarkXPress; candidates should be fluent in its use. Adobe Photoshop and Freehand/Illustrator experience is also desired.

What the ad doesn't mention is while SLO is "minutes from the Pacific Ocean, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. San Luis Obispo is known for its vibrant downtown, friendly people, and sunny, warm weather," it's also one of the tightest housing markets pound-for-pound in the country.

The LA Times a few years ago did a big piece on how tough it is to find housing -- affordable housing -- in SLO proper. College students at Cal Poly SLO were commuting as much as an hour.

In otherwords, be prepared to live somewhere else and become very familiar with the 101.

A friend of mine works as a reporter here and she enjoys it. She's not crazy about the location since she's from SoCal, but she's a real social butterfly who wishes she had more of her friends near her.

Each time this area comes up for discussion, I repeat: Cool college town, lots of local flavor, almost perfect weather, wineries and 10 minutes from the coast. Cal Poly is competitive as well. Yes, you won't buy a house and you are 200 miles from both L.A. and the Bay Area, and the ownership isn't ideal, but it would make a good second spot or a possible destination even.